Alarm-signal.



T. BODDE.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918..

30 as to attract attention to the display in a UNITED STATES PATENT onrrcn THEODORE BODDE, or Lxum'ivmssAcHUsErTs.

ALARM-SIGNAL.

lar application to a device of this characterv intended for use in connection with lighting and'heating' appliances.

In the present instance I have shown my inventionas employed in connection with an electric lamp, to which it is attached, its useful purpose being to give an audiblewarning or signal when the lamp is lighted. I wish it to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited in its useful application to this particular type of lighting'appliance, or to the specific purpose of constituting a warning signal, as it will be obvious that it may be employed in connection with other forms of lighting apparatus, such as gaslights, or with heating apparatus, if desired; and furthermore, that it may be employed in the form of a signal intended for advertising purposes, such, for instance,

shop window, show-case or'the like.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of asignal or alarm device which may be readily and conveniently attached to an electric lamp-or similar appliance, and which, when the lamp is lighted, will by means of audible sounds give warning or notice of the fact, the'sounding of the signal or alarm'ce'asing when the lamp has been extinguished. Such an alarm device will be found especially useful as an attachment to be applied to lamps or lights located in cellars, basements and other out-of-the-way places where lamps are infrequentlylighted, and then only for a short time as, should a person leave the cellar or basement, forgetting to extinguish the light the signal or alarm will operate automatically as long as the lamp remains lighted, giving forth sharp, clear sounds which will tend to attract attention to the fact that the lamp is still burning, so that the person may then proceed to extinguish the lamp and thus avoid the waste and expense incident to the useless burning of such lamp.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 26, 1916. Serial No. 111,486.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

v Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this class wherein audible sounds result from the expansion and contraction of a sounding element thereof being caused by pressure exerted through the gasifying of a liquid confined within the device, when the latter is heated, while the contraction of such sounding element is due to the subsequent liquefaction of the confined gas when the device is cooledytheheating of the device occurring when the sounding element is relatively close to the lighted lamp,

while the cooling thereof takes place when the sounding element is automatically moved away from such lamp, or beyond the effective heat zone of the latter.

I also aim to provide a signal which will automatically operate tosound an audible warning so long as the lamp or other heatproducing appliance to which it is applied is lighted.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a signal or alarm device which will give forth clear, sharp and audible sounds at certain intervals, these sounds being caused by the expansion and contrac= tion of the sounding elements of the device under variations in temperature. 7

With the above recited objects and others of a similar nature in view, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

- In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an electric lamp equipped with my signal or alarm, the latter being shown positioned relatively close to the lamp, in which position the sounding element will be'expanded under the influence of heat received from the lamp. Fig; :2 is 'a similar view but showing the sounding element after it has automatically moved away from the lamp and in which position the soundingfelement will cool off and contract. 1 Y 1 Fig. 3 is a view partly in top plan and partly in section taken on the line 3'-3 of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig; sis verticalsectional view taken thr'ough'the soundingelement of the device. Fig. Q5is a faceview 'of theflexible diaof the sounding element. a

Fig; 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showingthe flexible diaphragm in expanded posi tion instead of contracted position.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the letter L indicates a conventional form of electric lamp or bulb, to which is attached a bracket, indicatedas an entirety by the letter B, said bracket being pr fe a y made o al, s h a wire, and in the present instance includes a ring 1, which is adapted to encircle the neck portion of the glass bulb of the lamp, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 inclusive. l )epending from and preferably integral wlth this suspending ring 1 1s a Wire arm 2, which is bowed or curved to conform to the longitudinal bow .or curve of the lamp bulb, the lower free end of this arm 2 having an eye 3 formed therea-t, which is designedto receive the tip 1 of the lamp bulb, the ring and arm constituting means for securing or suspending the entire bracket from the lamp bulb. This bracket B also includes a yoke member 5, having an upper, laterally and outwardly extending arm' 6 anda lower and laterally and outwardly extendlng arm 7. The upper arm 6 is preferably of greater length than the lower arm 7 and 1s provlded at its lower end with an angular depending lug 8, which is preferably covered with a sleeve or section of relatively soft material, such as fabric, chamois skin, or the like, in dicated at 9. The lower end of the short arm 7 of the bracket is formed with an inturned hook section shown at 10. The up per arm 6 of the bracket carries intermediate thereon a bearing collar 11, while the lower arm 7 of the bracket carries adjacent its outer or hooked end a similar bearing collar 12. By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that these two collars 11 and 12 form bearings for the vertically inclined shaft 13, this shaft being adapted to rotate in the bearings with the lower end of the shaft resting upon the bill section of the hook 10, as shown in Fig. 8. This inclined rotating shaft 13 carries the sounding element of the device, which element is indicated as an entirety by the letter S.

This sounding element S includes a metal disk 14, which is of dish shaped form, as shown at Figs. 4 and 6, and is provided with a circumferentially extending rim or flange 15. The numeral 16 indicates a relatively thin, flcXible diaphragm, preferably of-steel, which is first centrally depressed or dented and then hardened, so that through its resiliency or elasticity it will snap or emit a sharp sound when warped to and fro, as hereinafter described. This steel dia: phragm or membrane 16 is soldered around its peripheral edge to the flange 15 ofv the dish-like disk 1e, as shown in Figs. at and'6, so. that a hollow interior or chamber 17 results. The flanged wall of the dish-like disk 14 is perforated to provide a small hole hrough which it small quantity, such as a drop or two, of easily vaporized liquid,

nothing is left therein but a little condensed vapor and thus va partial vacuum will be fornledin the chamber 17, while the atmospheric pressure at the outside will depress or snap over the steel diaphragm or membrane 16 into the position shown in Fig. 4:. :The outer face ofthis diaphragm 16 is preferably painted or otherwise provided with a, coatingof dark orblack material, indicated at 20, thus providing a facewhich will absorb the rays of light and heat, asis well known. Now, if thisface is held in front of a lighted electric lamp, as shown in Fig. 1, the condensed. vapor in the chamber 17 will vaporize again throughthe heat absorbed by this black face and exerts suflicient pressure against the inner side of the diaphragm or membrane to push it out against the atmospheric pressure until the point is reached when the elasticity of the membrane or diaphragm will cause it to snap over with a loud report into the shape or form shown in Fig. 6. If now the blackened or darkened surface of the membrane or diaphragm is moved away from the lamp the inverse result will occur, in that the blaekenedface will cool off by the radiation of the heat raysand the vapor inside of the chamber will condense back to a small drop or drops of liquid and the atmospheric pressure overcoming the pressure within the chamber will again push the membrane or d aphragm until it snaps over with a loud report into the opposite or contracted position as represented in Fig. A. It is to be noted that no dangerous pressure existsat any time inside of the chamber, 'asit works on the principle of vacuum, and when the diaphragm assumes the shape, shown in Fig. 6, only saturated vapor Will fillthe chamber and consequently from this, point, asthereis noliquidleft in th box-hut only this vapor, the increase of pressure with temperature w1ll be extremely small, about for each 1degree centigrade according to Charless I In order to cause the sounding element to be automatically moved toward andaway from the lamp when the latter is .buring, solder or otherwise fasten to the center per tion of the diaphragm or: membrane,- as at, 2,1,.one end of the-angular trigger 22-, t igg r being b in S11cl .-l 1a;nner asto have an elbow 2.3, while the free-end 24;

of the trigger will, when the diaphragm is contracted or depressed, overlie or project beyond the peripheral frame 15 as shown in Fig. 4. By comparison of the Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawing, it will be seen that'when the diaphragm or membrane snaps in and out the trigger will be correspondingly moved a short distance in and out. When the diaphragm is in its contractedposition and the device is mounted on the lamp, as shown in Fig. 1, the elbow 23 of the trigger is adapted to rest against the glass surface of the lamp globe, as illustrated in said figure. Now, if the lamp be burning the dark end or blackened face of the diaphragm or membrane will absorb the heat radiating from the lamp, and as the sounding element is thus heated the liquid within the chamber 17' will be vaporized and the diaphragm or membrane 20, being subjected to the pressure of the vapor, will snap out or expand to the position shown in Fig. 6',-

at the same time giving aloud, sharp report as it is warped over. At the same time, as the elbow 23 of the trigger has been at all times in contact with the glass globe, the elbow pushing against the'glass under the expansion of the diaphragm or membrane will give enough impetus to the sounding device to cause the latter to swing over into the position shown in Fig. 2.

It is to be noted that this swinging of the sounding element is possible because the shaft 13 thereof i connected, by solder or otherwise, to one side of said element, and this shaft is so mounted that it requires but a slight push to swing the sounding element to one side or the other, that is, toward or from the lamp. As the sounding element swings away from the lamp it is brought to a stop by striking the lug 8. In this position the sounding element will remain resting against the lug and it is so held by gravitation, for the angle of swing is such that the sounding element passes beyond the peak of its swinging motion before it reaches the lug. In this position the blackened or darkened faced of the sounding element is turned sidewise with respect to the lamp, and consequently the heat which has been absorbed by this face will be radiated with the cooling of the element. As the element thus cools off the free end 24 of the trigger will approach nearer and nearer to the arm 6 of the support until it finally comes into contact with the latter. It is to be understood that at the time the sounding element was swung over, the end 24 of the trigger was not in contact with the arm 6, but was held slightly spaced therefrom by the flange or peripheral rim of the sounding element resting against the soft sleeve 9 of the lug 8. Thus, when the membrane or diaphragm subsequently contracts or.

snaps inward again, giving forth a report or warning sound, the end 24 of the trigger which overlaps the flange or rim of the sounding element will'contact with the arm 6 and pushing against the latter. will cause the element to spring back again toward the lamp and thus the elbow is again brought into contact with the latter. Thus, so long as the lamp is lighted the sounding element will swing to and fro at intermittent-periods and emit a penetrating, snapping warning or'report with every vibration of the diaphragm or membrane.

From the aboved'escription, taken in connection with the'accompanying drawings, the "construction and operation of the invention will be readily apparent. 'It' will be seen that so long as the lamp or heating device to which the sounding element-is attached, is lighted, such sounding: element will automatically swing back and forth, giving forththe warning sounds asjheretofore described. 3

It will be further understood'that this device when used as an advertising novelty in the show windows of stores'and the'like, may be so mounted as to attract the 'attention of passing persons by its motion and its sound.

. While I have herein shown and described one particular embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to all the precise details of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as modification and variation may be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims:

1. In an alarm signal, the combination with a suitable support, of a hermetically sealed sounding element, a saturated vapor contained in said sounding element, said sounding element including a vibrating wall adapted to emit an audible sound when vibrated by the difference in pressure between the saturated vapor contained within the element and the atmosphere outside the element, means carried by the sounding element for moving the latter bodily in one direction, and means forcausing said element to move bodily in the opposite direction.

2. In an alarm signal, the combination with a support adapted to be attached to a heating device of a sounding element movably connected with the support, said sounding element including the vibrating wall, means for moving the element away from the heating device when said element has been subjected to a predetermined degree of heat, and means for causing said element to move toward the heating device when said element is cooled to a predetermined degree of temperature.

3. In an alarm signal, the combination with a suitable support of a hollow hermetically sealed sounding element having a Vibrating wall which is vibrated by the difference in pressure between a saturated vapor contained within the clementand the atmospheric pressure outside the element, a trigger attached to the wall for moving the sounding element when the wall is moved in one direction, and means cooperating With the trigger for moving the element in the opposite direction when the vibrating Wall is moved in another direction.

4. In an alarm signal, the combination of a sounding element, including a vibrating wall, a trigger attached to said wall, means adapted to bear against the trigger to move the sounding element in one direction under onemovement of the wall, and means adapted to contact with the trigger and move the sounding element in the reverse direction under the reverse movement of the Wall.

5. In an alarm signal, in combination with a suitable support adapted to be attached to a lamp, a sounding element mounted to swing on the support toward and from the lamp, means carried by the sounding element adapted to impart movement to the element to move it inone direction, and means for causing said element to move in the opposite direction.

6. In an alarm signal, a swingingsounding device including a vibrating diaphragm, a trigger attacheduto the diaphragm and having one end overlapping the edge of the diaphragm, said trigger deriving motion from the vibrating action of the diaphragm, and means adapted to be contacted by the trigger for causing the sounding element to SWIIIO'.

7 In an alarm signal, a swinging sounding element, and a trigger carried thereby,

a support for the sounding element provided with a lug and an arm which successively and respectively contact with the body of the sounding element and with the trigger there of for the purpose of stopping and starting the sounding element in its swinging movement.

In testimony whereof I my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THEODORE BODDE.

Witnesses:

JENNIE M. RAMsDEN, J OHN B. PEARSON.

@cpileu on? this patent may be obtained for five cents eagle, lay addressing the flommlssfloner of Patents,

Washington, 3111. Q3. 7 

